# NTSB DFW05CA220: Robinson R-44, N160TX, Odessa, TX, August 23, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2005, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Odessa, TX - Coordinates: 31.923055, -102.389442 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9231&lon=-102.3894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62316/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA220 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain main rotor RPM and the improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command - rotor rpm - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - misc rotorcraft,tail boom - separation ## Analysis The 1,212-hour commercial pilot departed runway 11 and remained in the landing pattern to demonstrate a simulated emergency landing for his passengers. While on the left downwind the pilot applied carburetor heat and radioed his intentions. Approximately 200 feet above ground level (agl), he lined up for a final approach to runway 11 and checked his instruments. All indications were "normal" so the pilot proceeded to "[roll] off" the engine power. With the "rotor RPM [bleeding] off very rapidly", the pilot elected to leave the collective in the full down position until he applied full engine throttle to start the flare. Shortly thereafter the pilot realized that the helicopter was going to impact the ground "hard." The helicopter impacted the runway with enough force that the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom resulting in its separation from the fuselage. The helicopter continued to slide down the runway for approximately 25 to 30 feet before rolling and coming to rest on its right side. An examination of the helicopter revealed the fuselage, main and tail rotor blades, and the tail rotor drive shaft sustained structural damage. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the helicopter. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 2005, about 1440 central daylight time, a single-engine Robinson R-44 helicopter, N160TX, was substantially damaged during a hard landing while conducting a simulated emergency landing at the Odessa-Schlemeyer Field Airport (ODO), near Odessa, Texas. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The helicopter was registered to and operated by a private corporation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the accident airport at 1400. According to the 1,212-hour pilot, the flight departed runway 11 and remained in the landing pattern to demonstrate an autorotation for his passengers. While established on the left downwind he applied carburetor heat and radioed his intentions. Approximately 200 feet above ground level (agl), he lined up for a final approach to runway 11 and "made another radio call, checked carburetor temperature, checked gauges to make sure they were in the green and checked manifold pressure." All indications were "normal" so the pilot proceeded to "[roll] off" the engine power. With the "rotor RPM [bleeding] off very rapidly", the pilot elected to leave the collective in the full down position until he applied full engine throttle to start the flare. Shortly thereafter the pilot realized that the helicopter was going to impact the ground "hard." The helicopter impacted the runway with enough force that the main rotor blades contacted the tail boom, resulting in its separation from the fuselage. The helicopter continued to slide down the runway for approximately 25 to 30 feet before rolling and coming to rest on its right side. The pilot further reported that there was no mechanical malfunction or failure with the helicopter. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the helicopter, reported that the fuselage, main and tail rotor blades, and the tail rotor drive shaft sustained structural damage. At 1353, the automated surface observing system (ASOS) at ODO, reported wind from 120 degrees at 12 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 91 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 57 degrees Fahrenheit and a barometric pressure setting of 29.98 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N160TX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N160TX-2008-01-30), registration cancelled 2008-01-30, S/N 0997, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Robinson R-44 - Registry model: [Robinson Helicopter R44](https://openairdocs.org/model/robinson-helicopter-r44) (registry code 7640120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 0997 - Airframe hours: 1208 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leak Surveys Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2005, 17 hours before - Departed: ODO, Odessa, TX - Destination: ODO, Odessa, TX - Airport: ODO, Odessa-Schlemeyer Field, runway 11, 3,420 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; medical: class 2; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,212 total, 691 in this make and model, 1,073 as pilot in command, 264 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: ODO ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050823018209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050823018209A), Aug 23, 2005: Robsin R44, Odessa, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 23, 2005, at approximately 1440 CDT, the pilot of N160TX, a Robinson model R-44 helicopter, initiated a straight in practice autorotation to… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.